Substation Design Manager

PCL; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership opportunities

Annual discretionary bonuses

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Parental leave

Mentorship programs

Training and professional development

Job summary

PCL Solar Constructors USA Inc. in Katy, TX is seeking a Substation Design Manager to lead the full design process for utility-scale projects, ensuring accuracy, safety and compliance with grid interconnection requirements.

You will collaborate with project managers, engineers and field teams to deliver cost-effective solutions. The role requires 7–10 years of electrical/power systems experience, HV substation design, P&C, SCADA integration, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required; P.Eng. preferred.
• 7–10 years in electrical or power systems engineering.
• Experience in utility-scale solar or renewable energy construction for at least 2 years.
• Proven high-voltage substation design experience with P&C and SCADA.
• Ability to review vendor drawings and coordinate with Engineer of Record (EOR).
• Strong leadership, scheduling and subcontract management.
• Willingness to travel for site work, testing, and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead full substation design from concept to execution, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Review vendor drawings and coordinate with project requirements and protection schemes.
• Collaborate with Engineer of Record to resolve design issues across multiple substation designs.
• Provide technical leadership for P&C design, relay logic, and SCADA integration.
• Interpret utility requirements and interconnection procedures for design compliance.
• Coordinate with project management, PV design teams, and construction teams to optimize design flow.
• Participate in site walks, FATs, commissioning planning and energization activities.
• Identify nonconformances, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Stay current with industry practices and drive continuous improvement in design and construction.
• Capture lessons learned for estimating, design, and construction best practices.
• Maintain client relationships and ensure alignment with owner objectives.
• Supervise and mentor engineering staff.

Skills

Project leadership

Communication

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation preferred

Tools

SCADA systems

Protection relays

Job description

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The future you want is within reach. Let’s build it together.

At PCL Solar Constructors USA Inc., part of the PCL Family of Companies (PCL), we don’t just build projects—we build opportunities, careers and communities. We are 100% employee-owned, every employee has a stake in our success, and that shared commitment drives how we work, grow and lead in the construction industry.

We’re a team of builders who care deeply about what we create and who we build it with. That includes you. We are not only investing in what’s next in construction, we are investing in what’s next for your career.

As a Substation Design Manager for PCL Solar Constructors USA Inc. in Katy, Texas, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to our team by collaborating with project managers, engineers, and field teams to deliver cost-effective, reliable solutions.

Why Choose PCL?

Choose a career with rewards that matter. PCL’s total rewards are designed to support your growth, well-being and future success—because when you succeed, we all do.

Our offerings could include:

• Employee ownership opportunities that build long-term value
• Annual discretionary performance bonuses
• 401(k) with company match
• Industry-leading medical, dental and vision benefits
• Prescription drug coverage and telemedicine services
• Life, AD&D and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave and family care support
• HSA or FSA for healthcare, dependent care and transportation
• Mental health and wellness support, including Employee Assistance Programs
• Career growth pathways, leadership development and mentorship programs
• Access to world-class training through PCL’s College of Construction and professional development courses
• Ongoing opportunities to learn new skills, explore different roles and grow your career across sectors and regions

Here’s how a Substation Design Manager for PCL Solar Constructors USA Inc. within Solar USA contributes to our team:

• Lead and oversee the full substation design process from concept and feasibility through detailed design and execution, ensuring technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with utility and project specifications.
• Review and coordinate equipment vendor drawings and documentation (e.g., transformer, circuit breaker, switchgear, and protection equipment). Ensure vendor designs are fully aligned with the overall substation design, project requirements, and protection/control schemes.
• Collaborate closely with the Engineer of Record (EOR) to resolve design issues, review technical submittals, and maintain consistency across multiple substation designs and related balance‑of‑plant systems.
• Provide technical leadership for Protection and Control (P&C) design, including review of relay logic, control schematics, SCADA integration, and interconnection requirements.
• Interpret and implement utility and grid operator requirements, ensuring all designs, relay schemes, and interface points comply with applicable standards and operational practices.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with project management, PV design teams, and construction teams to optimize design flow, resolve technical challenges, and support timely project delivery.
• Participate in site walks, factory acceptance tests (FATs), commissioning planning, and energization activities, providing technical guidance during construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Identify and troubleshoot design nonconformances, determine root causes, and provide corrective action recommendations to maintain quality and performance standards.
• Stay current with industry practices, technologies, and emerging trends in substation design, equipment, and protection systems to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Capture lessons learned and success stories for continuous improvement across the project lifecycle, contributing to estimating, design, and construction best practices.
• Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, ensuring alignment with project-specific success criteria (CPSSC) and owner objectives.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop engineering staff, promoting a collaborative, high-performance culture within the design team.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline; Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation preferred, or equivalent relevant industry/trade experience.
• Experience: 7-10 years of progressive experience in electrical or power systems engineering, including at least 2 years in utility-scale solar or renewable energy project construction.
• Proven background in high-voltage substation design, including protection and control (P&C) systems, relay schemes, and SCADA integration.
• Hands‑on experience with substation testing, commissioning, and grid synchronization, including familiarity with utility interconnection and energization procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to review and interpret vendor drawings and documentation, ensuring alignment with design intent, protection schemes, and project standards.
• Skilled in identifying and communicating installation priorities to field and trade contractors, preparing and managing construction and commissioning schedules, and leading start‑up and closeout processes.
• Solid understanding of contracts and subcontracts, with the ability to manage contractual obligations, project scope, and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Strong capability to monitor, forecast, and allocate resources, identify schedule impacts, and proactively manage risks and opportunities during both the design and construction phases.
• Proven commitment to promoting and implementing a strong safety culture across design and execution teams.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate effectively with clients, utilities, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills, with a proactive approach to resolving technical and design issues.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast‑paced, multi‑project environment, with a willingness to travel for site work, testing, and commissioning activities as required.

Your Work Has Purpose Here

PCL projects are where life happens, where communities connect, careers begin, and progress is made. Regardless of the type of project, we are building something bigger: a future that's inclusive, resilient and full of opportunity.

At PCL Solar Constructors USA Inc., we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone belongs. We value the diverse experiences, identities and perspectives our employees bring. Employment decisions are based on merit, potential and the drive to make a difference, regardless of race, gender, age, ability or background.

We know everyone's needs are different, if you require accommodation during the application process, please contact [e-mail] and include the position and location of interest.

Company: PCL Solar Constructors USA Inc.